World of Tanks 8.5 begins rolling out today; premium consumables now purchasable without real-world cash

World of Tanks 8.5 has been in public testing for the best part of a month, during which time players have been privy to a slew of new light and medium tanks for Soviet and German force still warm from the production line. By the end of the week, those updates will have been applied to the game proper* - alongside a shop tweak that renders the game just a touch more free-to-play.

As of 8.5, players will be able to buy all premium consumables from the game’s shop using credits - earned in-game by inflicting damage to the enemy, capturing bases, spotting, or simply through taking part. Consumables have previously been available only via gold, a currency purchased with real-world money. What’s more, the ability to create three-member platoons and companies, until now a privilege offered to paying players, is now open to all.

Elsewhere, the update sees three new featherweight tanks bolster Soviet ranks - the T-60, T-70 and T-80 - while the Germany army’s light and medium categories have been fleshed out by the addition of six new bang-vehicles:

VK 20.01 (D)

VK 30.02 (D) v1

Indien Panzer

Prototype der Arbeitsgruppe A

Aufklarerpanzer Panthe

Leopard 1

Alongside the totally new Pearl River map, three of the now two-and-a-half-year-old multiplayer shooter’s older landscapes have been the beneficiaries of graphical sprucings-up - namely Malinovka, South Coast and Siegfried Line.

How many of you are WoT players? And how many of you pay your way?

*Everywhere but South Korea, for some reason, which will have to wait for May 7. Update 8.5 will be released today in Europe, and tomorrow in Southeast Asia and the United States.